Antenna for use with an automobile

ABSTRACT

An automobile antenna is formed by laminating an electroconductive wire, between two layers of a clear synthetic tape. One surface or side of the tape is self-adhering and is capable of adhering to a window surface. The tape is clear and will not yellow thereby not interfering with visibility. The electroconductive wire is electrically connected to a cable adapted to be inserted into the antenna receptacle in the automobile radio.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Joseph Trachtenberg New York, N.Y.[21] Appl. No. 72,069 [22] Filed Sept. 14, 1970 [45] Patented Jan. 11,1972 [73] Assignee Interdynamics, Inc.

Brooklyn, N.Y.

[54] ANTENNA FOR USE WITH AN AUTOMOBILE 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 343/713, 343/873 [51] Int. Cl H0lq 1/32 [50] Field of Search343/705, 708,711, 712, 713, 720, 872, 873

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,855,155 4/1932 Sampson343/908 4/1940 Wolauer 2,481,978 9/1949 Clouch 343/712 2,667,577 1/1954Craziano 343/814 FOREIGN PATENTS 387,215 2/1933 Great Britain 343/720734,320 7/1932 France 343/906 1,127,674 8/1956 France 343/713 PrimaryExaminer-451i Lieberman Attorney-Henry R. Lerner ABSTRACT: An automobileantenna is formed by laminating an electroconductive wire, between twolayers of a clear synthetic tape. One surface or side of the tape isself-adhering and is capable of adhering to a window surface. The tapeis clear and will not yellow thereby not interfering with visibility.The electroconductive wire is electrically connected to a cable adaptedto be inserted into the antenna receptacle in the automobile radio.

PAIENIEUJAMHBYZ 3l534lg54 INVENTOR JOSEPH TRACHTENBERG ATTORNEY.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automobileantenna, and more particularly, to an automobile antenna capable of easyinstallation. I

Classically, automobile antennas include projecting telescoping metallicelectroconductive members suitable for mounting on the front or rearfender. Unfortunately, such antennas are frequently the object ofvandals destructive actions which requires their replacement when theyare bent or broken. Further, the mounting for the automobile antennafrequently becomes loose requiring frequent repair. In order toeliminate the above-mentioned damage resulting from vandals, theautomotive industry has adopted a self-retracting automatic automobileantenna. Such an antenna is relatively expensive, complex and frequentlyunwieldy, often resulting in frequent malfunctions requiring expensiveand frequent repair.

Another approach of the automobile industry has been to place theantenna within a portion of the automobilebody thereby hiding it fromvandals. As illustrative of such an approach, a US. Pat. No. 3,208,070issued to JQH. Boicey on Sept. 21, 1965 entitled AUTOMOBILE WINDSI-IIELD OF LAMINATED GLASS HAVING EMBEDDED ANTENNA WIRES, discloses alaminated glass with an antenna em bedded therein. Such an approacheliminates the problems of the projecting-type automobile antenna, butthe Boicey device has attendant serious disadvantages. For instance,with the antenna wire being embedded in the laminated glass, thetentireglass must be replaced if for some reason the antenna wire becomesbroken. Additionally, it is suggested that the antenna wire be locatedin the front window. it is obvious that such an approach whileeliminating one problem, that is the vandalism problem, introducesseveral others, among them the need to replace a relatively expensivewindshield if the embedded automotive antenna is not-properlyfunctioning. Further, the windshield is also frequently the object of avandals unwarranted actions and thus, the replacement of a windshieldhaving an embedded antenna wire is more expensive than the replacementof a conventional front window; and further, it is frequently moredifficult to obtain such a window having the embedded antenna wires.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved automobileantenna.

Another object of the present invention is to providesuch an antennawhich is relatively inaccessible to vandals.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such anantenna which is relatively invisible.

Yet another object of he present invention is to provide such an antennawhich is capable of easy installation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such anantenna which is capableof easy and relatively inex pensive replacement.

Another object of the present invention is toprovide such an automobileantenna which may be replaced and installed by the average consumer.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such anantenna which is capable of being attached or secured to a portion ofthe automotive body, such as the front windshield.

Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing aself-adhering transparent or clear synthetic tape including two layerswith an electroconductive wire laminated between the layers to form theantenna. The tape preferably is a crystal clear polypropylene film andone of the outer surfaces of the laminated layers is provided with aself-adhering surface to enable the laminated or layer assembly to beattached or secured to the inside of the front windshield. The tape isclear so as not to obstruct visibility and exhibits the characteristicof not yellowing with age. Additionally, the laminated layer assemblywill not dry out with age, thereby enabling the tape to be securelyfastened and attached to the inner surface of the front window. I

The electroconductive wire preferably is thin so as not to obstruct thedrivers vision. However, a wire of any suitable thickness could beutilized as a conductor of radio signals within the laminated tapeassembly. The wire is flexible enough to permit installation over thedashboard and on the window surface. The length of tape running acrossthe front window may be as long as desired to permit AM reception. ForFM reception, a length of no more than 44 inches is desirable since agreater length would not provide for adequate FM reception.

The laminated tap assembly will not crack, yellow or dry out in theseverest of ambient temperature conditions. It may be seen that thepresent invention provides a relatively simple automobile antennacapable of easy installation for use with conventional AM and FMautomobile radios. The self-adhering nature of the laminated clearplastic assembly permits easy installation on the inner surface of thefront window. If for some reason, the antenna is inoperative or becomesdefective, it may easily be replaced by merely removing the laminatedlayer assembly, as contrasted with the prior art requirement ofreplacing the entire front windshield. By securing the tape to the innersurface of the front windshield, the antenna is not accessible tovandals. To provide for ease of installation, the antenna iselectrically connected to a shielded cable which terminates in a plugsuitable for insertion into the antenna receptacle commonly found in therear panel of automobile radios. A fastening lug suitable for groundingpurposes is also provided on the shielded cable to enhance the receptionobtained with the present automotive antenna.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary view of the front dashboard andwindshield assembly conventionally found in automobiles.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automotive antenna of the presentinvention including a shielded cable and connecting plug.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken alonglines 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing thelaminated assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the Figures, and particular FIGS. 2and 3, which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, whileFIG. 1 illustrates its method of usage, the automobile antenna isprovided'with a shielded cable 10 having an antenna plug 12 securelyattached to one end of the shielded cable. A grounding. lug I4 issecured around the other end of the shielded cable 10 for attachment toa ground point on the automobile A suitable sheet metal screw isutilized for attaching the metal lug l4 to the automobile body. Theshielded cable 10 generally includes an outer coaxial grounding shieldto which grounding lug'l4 is electrically connected. The two innerconductors of the cable are separated in a pad member 16 which isattached to the lug end of the shielded cable 10. The inner conductorsare then connected to an electroconductive wire 18 which is laminatedbetween two clear or transparent layers or strips 20 and 22, havingequal width forming a laminated assembly 24 which carries theelectroconductive wire therein. Each layer of the laminated layerassembly, preferably, is a crystal-clear polypropylene film havingadhering characteristics. The outer surface 32 of upper or first layer22 preferably is nonadhering, while the inner surface 28 is adhering anddoes adhere to a nonadhering inner surface 30 of lower or second layer20. The outer surface 26 of lower layer 20 is provided with a suitableadhesive or securing means to facilitate the securing of the laminatedassembly to the front windshield.

FIG. 1 illustrates the present automobile antenna being connected to aradio 40.

' FM recep- What is claimed is:

1. An automotive tomobile windshield,

a. a fine electroconductive wire,

b. a first transparent stri sive along one surface magnitude as thewidth radio antenna for attachment to an aucomprising,

p of unifonn width and being adhethereof,

of said first transsaid second strip,

e. whereby a laminated assembly is formed having outer surthe adhesivesurface of faces comprising,

strip,

second strip to defi respectively, said second strip and the nonadh nean antenna 2. An automotive radio antenna wherein said first and secondtran polypropylene film tape.

as set forth in claim 1, sparent strips comprise grounding lug, saidgrounding lug being electrically connected to the shield of said ssecurement to the body

1. An automotive radio antenna for attachment to an automobilewindshield, comprising, a. a fine electroconductive wire, b. a firsttransparent strip of uniform width and being adhesive along one surfacethereof, c. a second transparent strip of uniform width substantially ofthe same magnitude as the width of said first transparent strip, saidsecond transparent strip being adhesive along one surface thereof, d.said first and second strips being secured in substantially juxtaposedcoincident relation with said electroconductive wire therebetween withthe confronting surfaces of said strips comprising the adhesive surfaceof said first strip and the surface other than the adhesive surface ofsaid second strip, e. whereby a laminated assembly is formed havingouter surfaces comprising, respectively, the adhesive surface of saidsecond strip and the nonadhesive surface of said first strip, saidlaminated assembly being securable to said windshield surface along theadhesive surface of said second strip to define an antenna for saidautomobile.
 2. An automotive radio antenna as set forth in claim 1,wherein said first and second transparent strips comprise polypropylenefilm tape.
 3. An automotive radio antenna as set forth in claim 1,wherein there is provided cable means connected at one end thereof tosaid electroconductive wire and adapted to be connected at the other endthereof to an automobile radio.
 4. An automotive radio antenna as setforth in claim 3, wherein said cable means comprises a shielded cablehaving a grounding lug, said grounding lug being electrically connectedto the shield of said shielded cable and being adapted for securement tothe body of the automobile.